The House of the Wolfings · Chapter
XXX: Thiodolf Is Borne Out of the Hall and Otter Is Laid Beside Him explained
The Hall-Sun gathers the surviving warriors and kindreds in the fire-scorched hall to honor the fallen War-duke Thiodolf and Otter.
What happens
The Hall-Sun gathers the surviving warriors and kindreds in the fire-scorched hall to honor the fallen War-duke Thiodolf and Otter. She calls forth named champions to stand beside her, then commands a bier be made from spears. Thiodolf is laid upon it and borne out of the hall into the sunlight, followed by the Hall-Sun holding the Candle of Returning, as the host prepares to meet the returning wain-burg.
Themes in this chapter
Ritual and Custom
The chapter depicts the formal mourning and bearing-out of the War-duke, with the Hall-Sun leading a ritual of calling warriors, making a bier of spears, and processing into the sunlight.
Sacrifice and Loss
Thiodolf and Otter lie dead; the Hall-Sun and the kindreds mourn their loss while striving to honor them without overwhelming sorrow.
Honor and Heroism
The warriors are called by name to stand in witness, and the dead are praised for their deeds; the bier is made from the spears of the kindreds as a mark of honor.
Characters to notice
- Hall-Sun
Leads the mourning and ritual, calls forth warriors by name, kindles the torch, and follows the bier with the Candle of Returning.
- Thiodolf
Lies dead on the dais, later laid on a bier of spears and borne out of the hall.
- Otter
Lies dead beside Thiodolf; his body is present for the ritual.
- Sorli
Called up by the Hall-Sun as an old warrior and fellow in arms; helps bear the bier.
- Wolfkettle
Strides forward in battered war-gear; stands on the dais and later helps carry Thiodolf.
- Egil
Messenger and bowman, called up by the Hall-Sun; helps bear the bier.
- Asmund the Old
Old warrior of the Daylings, arrives late on horseback; enters the ring to speak the latest word over the War-dukes.
- Valtyr
Called as Otter's brother's son; stands on the dais and helps bear the bier.
Key passages
“O warriors of the Wolfings, by the token of the flame That here in my right hand flickers, ye are back at the House of the Name, And there yet burneth the Hall-Sun beneath the Wolfing Roof, And the flame that the foemen quickened hath died out far aloof.”
The Hall-Sun declares that the Wolfings have returned to their hall, where the sacred flame still burns, while the fire set by the Romans has been extinguished.
The Hall-Sun reassures the kindreds of their survival and the enduring sanctity of their home.
“Now soon shall there be nothing of their dwelling-place to tell, Save the billow of the meadows, the flower-grown grassy swell!”
Soon the only sign of where Thiodolf and Otter once lived will be a grassy mound in the meadow.
The Hall-Sun foresees the burial mounds that will mark the heroes' resting places.